Six Questions to Ask to Determine Whether There Was a Design Defect

When an injury results due to a defective product, the results can be both physically and financially devastating. Costly medical bills may begin to add up, and significant strain can be imposed on a victim and his or her family if he or she is unable to return to work. Injuries can be caused by any number of defective products, from motor vehicles to children’s toys to cosmetics. Regardless of the type of product, if a design defect is to blame, a victim may be entitled to compensation for his or her losses.

Was the Product Defectively Designed?

Immediately after an injury caused by a product, a victim should focus primarily on obtaining prompt medical treatment. Once health has stabilized, victims can begin to think about whether they may have grounds to pursue a legal claim for compensation as a result of their injuries. Compensation may result if the product was defectively designed. To make this determination, consider the following questions:

1. Did the alleged design defect make the product unreasonably dangerous?
2. How useful is the product?
3. What level of risk is involved in the use of the product?
4. Was there a safer alternative design available?
5. Would this alternative design have prevented or significantly reduced the risk of injury, without substantially impacting the utility of the product?
6. Was the alternative design both economically and technologically feasible at the time, using existing scientific knowledge?

Based on the answers to the above questions, the product that caused your injury may very well have included a design defect. Assessing these answers can be a confusing and complicating process for victims with little experience in this area. Fortunately, victims do not have to navigate this process alone. Our experienced team is available to you at any time, 24 hours per day. We are pleased to offer complimentary consultations to discuss the details of your injuries and the defective products involved. We encourage you to contact us today at 210-888-8888.